Solheim:
Since you have been using a duffel, does that mean that you have been car camping? Some people call smaller packs, used for day hiking, backpacks. We call that a daypack.
The word "backpacking" generally infers that you intend to carry your camp in a pack on your back and setup your camp when you arrive at your destination. Is that what you mean when you inquire about a backpack? Backpack hunting generally infers that you intend to hunt out of a remote camp and that you got to that camp by backpacking.
I agree with sherp and McKinney. It's difficult to make recommendations not knowing anything about how you intend to use the pack. Do you intend to use the pack primarily for day hiking? Do you intend to do recreational backpacking in the summer? Do you intend to engage in backpack hunting? Do you intend to use the pack in the winter? Do you anticipate using the pack to haul out game meat?
The cheaper your gear is, the tougher you have to be. Are you young and strong?
KC
